7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Rabble in Arms, May 29, 2003
This review is from: Rally Point (Demontech, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
Rally Point (2003) is the second novel of the Demontech series, following Onslaught. In the previous volume, Spinner and Haft have escaped from the Jokapcul invasion of New Bally and start their trek northeastward through Bostia, intending to cross Skragland and then turn south to the port of Zorba City, where they can get passage to Frangeria. After a bit of excitement over a hungry gray tabur, a large feline, they meet Silent, a Tangonine giant, who joins them in combat against a Jokapcul unit at the Skragland border. Unfortunately, one of the Jokapcul gets away, so Haft and Spinner take three of the Jokapcul horses and ride east.
After a spot of trouble at the Burnt Man Inn, Spinner and Haft depart in the company of the Golden Girl, Doli, Zweepee, and Fletcher. A few days later, Wolf starts following them and, occasionally, leading them to battle sites. They follow the path of a Zorban unit and arrive just as a Jokapcul company attacks them. Although they drive off the enemy for a short while, the Jokapcul soon return and are wearing down their small group when Silent roars into the Jokapcul rear and sends them tumbling like bowling pins. After finishing off the enemy, they add the horses to their own and continue on their way, gathering fighting men and some refugees as they travel.
In this novel, the Dark Prince demands that the Jokapcul magicians find out more about the bandits attacking their men in the north. One of the mages sends out a hive of bees to hunt for the group led by Haft and Spinner.
Meanwhile, the group has been fleeing east from the Jokapcul advance, but soon discover that they have insufficient food and water for travel across the Eastern Waste. They follow the borders of the waste south toward the Princedons. They now have enough fighting men to make up a reinforced platoon: Zorbans, Skraglanders, and a few sea soldiers who have escaped from Zorba City. They are beginning to pick off small units of Jokapcul and any bandits foolish enough to attack them. They even rescue a Skragland unit from a bandit ambush. Then they come to the town of Eikby.
While Spinner and Haft are negotiating with the town mayor, the group camps nearby and prepares a meal. Shortly thereafter, numerous bandits attack the camp, deliberately inflicting injuries to several women and children, but are driven off by the returning fighting men. The bandit gang is well known to the townsfolk and the group are warned that they will gather as many other bandit gangs as possible and return to attack them once again as retaliation for previous losses. The town mayor wants to send the newcomers away, but is overruled by the Commander of the Eikby Guard. The townsfolk start preparing for an attack by the bandits.
Then refugees from Penston brings word that the Jokapcul have taken that city and are coming up the peninsula toward Eikby.
This novel shows the development of Haft and Spinner into leaders as they accept responsibility for more and more refugees and finally for a full town. While they still have a duty to report the invasion, they can't just walk off and leave these men, women and children to their own device.
Spinner is especially conflicted by the number of people who have died under their leadership. He can't see where these losses could be prevented and assumes that his incomprehension proves his lack of competence. On the other hand, Haft still has a problem with impetuosity. He clearly sees the enemy's weaknesses, but fails to consider the consequences of accident and error. However, the fighting begins to teach him a little more about prior planning and, in particular, the value of contingency planning.
Recommended for Sherman fans and anyone else who enjoys ground combat in a fantasy setting.
-Arthur W. Jordin
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A slam bang action adventure, February 13, 2003
This review is from: Rally Point (Demontech, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
Ok! If you read my comments on Onslaught you would know that while I enjoyed it I was unhappy with its lack of a conclusion. Well, here it is with all the page turning action and derring do you could hope for. While it (of course) sets the stage for further books in the series, Rally Point completes the story arc begun in Onslaught with a satisfying, bang up ending. Sherman's use of demons as analogs for modern weapons adds an interesting dimension to the story telling while adding an element of humor as well. It lends new meaning to the term 'smart weapon'. No spoilers here, just buy it, but make sure you have both Demontech I and II. If you are into action and military oriented fantasy these books are guaranted to satisfy. I now look forward (without the frustration) for the next book in the series.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A great entry into a great series, February 12, 2010
This review is from: Rally Point (Demontech, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
I am not going to put a synopsis of the book here, others have already done it and probably done it better than I ever could. I just want to say that I own all 3 books in the series and was very disappointed to see that that last 3 books will NOT be published. It seems sales are low even though reviews are rating this series very highly. I urge you to buy this book is you like Sword and Sorcery and/or Military SF, this series seamlessly combines both. The book is entertaining, well written, with great fully realized characters. Recommend this book to others you think would like it and take a moment to write the publishers and ask them to please release the rest of the books.
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